Works on Thai-Chinese high-speed rail to commence in 2019

The Thai government will begin construction of the first phase of the remaining three sections of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima in April next year, the National News Bureau of Thailand announced on November 25. The route is planned to begin operations in 2022.

At the 26th meeting of the Joint Committee on Railway Cooperation between Thailand and China, both countries followed up on the progress of the construction of the first phase of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route, the second phase of the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Nong Khai route, and the financial partnership.

Currently, the construction of the 3.5-kilometer connecting section from Klang Dong to Pang Asok, from where the first phase’s of the 238.5-kilometer remaining three sections will be routed, is making significant headway.

Overall costs for the project are around $5.5 billion. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said that China proposed a loan with an interest rate of three per cent per year, but Thailand is negotiating for a drop to 2.6 per cent annually. A conclusion is expected in December.

Meanwhile, Thailand is planning to review findings for the construction of the second phase’s 355-kilometer Nakhon Si Thammarat-Nong Khai route. China suggested that all stakeholders follow up on the rail link in Nong Khai with Laos. Talks are expected to take place in January next year. Beijing considers the rail lined to be part of its much-vaunted Belt and Road initiative. A new bridge across the Mekong River will be built to accommodate the high-speed railway which is designed to link southern China with Thailand through Laos and later on to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

In addition to the project with China, construction for Thailand’s $15-billion joint high-speed rail project with Japan is scheduled to start in 2020, Arkhom said. The initial study for half of the 672-kilometer line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is already complete, and both governments are negotiating the investment model, he said.

The Thai government will begin construction of the first phase of the remaining three sections of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima in April next year, the National News Bureau of Thailand announced on November 25. The route is planned to begin operations in 2022. At the 26th meeting of the Joint Committee on Railway Cooperation between Thailand and China, both countries followed up on the progress of the construction of the first phase of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route, the second phase of the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Nong Khai route, and the financial partnership. Currently, the construction of...

The Thai government will begin construction of the first phase of the remaining three sections of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima in April next year, the National News Bureau of Thailand announced on November 25. The route is planned to begin operations in 2022.

At the 26th meeting of the Joint Committee on Railway Cooperation between Thailand and China, both countries followed up on the progress of the construction of the first phase of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route, the second phase of the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Nong Khai route, and the financial partnership.

Currently, the construction of the 3.5-kilometer connecting section from Klang Dong to Pang Asok, from where the first phase’s of the 238.5-kilometer remaining three sections will be routed, is making significant headway.

Overall costs for the project are around $5.5 billion. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said that China proposed a loan with an interest rate of three per cent per year, but Thailand is negotiating for a drop to 2.6 per cent annually. A conclusion is expected in December.

Meanwhile, Thailand is planning to review findings for the construction of the second phase’s 355-kilometer Nakhon Si Thammarat-Nong Khai route. China suggested that all stakeholders follow up on the rail link in Nong Khai with Laos. Talks are expected to take place in January next year. Beijing considers the rail lined to be part of its much-vaunted Belt and Road initiative. A new bridge across the Mekong River will be built to accommodate the high-speed railway which is designed to link southern China with Thailand through Laos and later on to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

In addition to the project with China, construction for Thailand’s $15-billion joint high-speed rail project with Japan is scheduled to start in 2020, Arkhom said. The initial study for half of the 672-kilometer line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is already complete, and both governments are negotiating the investment model, he said.